US4865667A - Gas-generating composition - Google Patents
Gas-generating composition Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US4865667A US4865667A US07/252,520 US25252088A US4865667A US 4865667 A US4865667 A US 4865667A US 25252088 A US25252088 A US 25252088A US 4865667 A US4865667 A US 4865667A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- nitride
- gas
- oxidizing agent
- generating composition
- fuel
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
- C06D—MEANS FOR GENERATING SMOKE OR MIST; GAS-ATTACK COMPOSITIONS; GENERATION OF GAS FOR BLASTING OR PROPULSION (CHEMICAL PART)
- C06D5/00—Generation of pressure gas, e.g. for blasting cartridges, starting cartridges, rockets
- C06D5/06—Generation of pressure gas, e.g. for blasting cartridges, starting cartridges, rockets by reaction of two or more solids
Definitions
- This invention concerns a gas-generating composition useful for inflating air bags for protection of occupants of motor vehicles. More particularly, this invention is directed to a gas-generating composition wherein no water or toxic substances are formed during the gas-generating reaction and wherein the solid components resulting from the reaction are in the form of a glassy slag.
- Air bags for protection of motor vehicle occupants must be inflated by the gas-generating composition within a fraction of a second, and they are generally constructed so that their gas content is released at a controlled rate.
- the propellant formed for such air bags must not contain any toxic components.
- Alkali and alkaline earth metal azides in particular which form nonpoisonous gas consisting essentially of nitrogen when reacted with an inorganic oxidizing agent, come into consideration as the gas supplying component of such compositions.
- Alkali and alkaline earth metal oxides which form during oxidation, are relatively difficult to separate and may reach the interior of the vehicle.
- silicon dioxide may be added to the gas-generating composition.
- the silicon dioxide and the alkali and alkaline earth metal oxides form a glassy slag, the separation of which presents no problems.
- composition disclosed by German Auslegeschrift 2,236,175, as used in practice contains 56% sodium azide on a weight basis, a relatively high proportion.
- sodium azide is highly toxic, comparable in this respect to potassium cyanide. Due to the constant increase in the number of motor vehicles which are equipped with such protection equipment, the disposal problems which arise when scrapping are appreciable. These problems result both from direct contamination of the environment, particularly soil and subterranean water with this highly toxic salt, and from the reaction of sodium azide on the scrap heap with acids. For example, sodium azide can come into contact with bacterial acids to form highly explosive heavy metal azides.
- azide-free compositions based on solid rocket fuels have been disclosed in German Auslegeschriften 2,334,063 and 2,222,506.
- these compositions have a serious disadvantage; carbon monoxide and other toxic gases are formed from the carbon containing components thereof.
- oxygen-free oxidizers such as chromium chloride, molybdenum disulfide or iron fluoride and tetrazoles
- a propellant is formed which contains free metal, i.e. chromium, molybdenum or iron, and in some cases, substances which are even substantially more toxic, such as potassium cyanide.
- free metal i.e. chromium, molybdenum or iron
- the nitrides used namely sodium nitride in reaction (1), magnesium nitride in reaction (3), calcium nitride in reaction (4) and sodium amide in reaction (2) are exceptionally reactive compounds. In fact, these compounds react especially vigorously with water, forming ammonia. Since the complete absence of water is practically unattainable with such a finely dispersed system, the stability of these known compositions is inadequate. At the same time, the decomposition of these known compositions with water leads to malodorous, toxic ammonia.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a new azide-free gas-generating composition with high stability which, while forming an adequately large volume of nitrogen per unit volume of composition, leads to a physiologically safe propellant gas.
- the nitride is selected from at least member of the group consisting of boron nitride (BN), aluminum nitride (AlN), silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) and a transition metal nitride or a mixture thereof.
- nitrides used in accordance with the invention are exceptionally stable, thermally and chemically, to an extent that they are also used as ceramic materials. It is surprising, therefore, that these inert materials can be caused to react under the conditions of temperature and pressure existing in an air bag generator housing with conventional oxidizing agents for gas-generating compositions, i.e. ammonium, alkali and alkaline earth metal nitrates and perchlorates.
- the nitride used in the gas-generating composition of the invention is selected exclusively from boron nitride (BN), aluminum nitride (AlN), silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) and a transition metal nitride or a mixture thereof.
- boron nitride BN
- AlN aluminum nitride
- Si 3 N 4 silicon nitride
- transition metal nitride preferably titanium nitride (TiN), zirconium nitride (ZrN), hafnium nitride (HfN), vanadium nitride (VN).
- niobium nitride NbN
- tantalum nitride TaN
- chromium nitride CrN
- dichromium nitride Cr 2 N
- the total solid residue is bound in the form of 3K 2 O.5Cr 2 O 3 or 3KBO 2 .Cr 2 O 3 , i.e., as a glassy slag.
- nitrogen is formed exclusively as the propellant gas.
- the proportion of nitrogen on a weight basis is appreciably less in the nitrides used in the composition of the invention than in conventionally used sodium azide, the proportion on a volume basis is comparable.
- the proportion of nitrogen by weight in sodium azide is 64.6%; by volume it is 1.2 normal liters/cc.
- the proportion by weight is only 21.2%; however, the proportion by volume is 1.02 normal liters/cc.
- the mixture illustrated in equation (5) forms only 0.14 normal liters of nitrogen per gram, as compared with about 0.31 normal liters of nitrogen per gram which are generated by the known composition disclosed by German Auslegeschrift 2,236,175, which contains sodium azide.
- the volume of gas formed by the reaction of equation (5) is 0.58 normal liters/cc. compared with 0.65 normal liters/cc. for the known composition.
- the formation of nitrogen by a composition of the invention is approximately comparable to that of a conventional gas-generating composition containing sodium azide.
- the nitride and oxidizing agent are used in stoichiometric ratios, as illustrated in equations (5) and (6). Further, to achieve defined reactive or oxidative properties, it may be advantageous to employ mixtures of nitrides used in accordance with the invention.
- any inorganic oxidizing agent may be used as the oxidizing agent in the compositions of the invention.
- potassium nitrate is preferred, since, despite a relatively low decomposition temperature, it is comparatively stable, has a low hygroscopicity and moreover, is readily available.
- an ignition aid based on a metal powder/oxidizing agent mixture may be added to the composition of the invention.
- a metal powder/oxidizing agent mixture use may be made of boron, magnesium, aluminum, zirconium, titanium or silicon, for example.
- useful inorganic oxidizing agents include ammonium, alkali and alkaline earth metal nitrates and perchlorates.
- a mixture of finely ground chromium nitride (CrN), potassium nitrate, and boron was prepared.
- the potassium nitrate was present in a stoichiometric amount such that it was adequate to oxidize the chromium nitride and boron completely.
- the mixture was compressed into tablets with a diameter of 6 mm. and a thickness of 2.5 mm.
- About 80 g. of the tablets were introduced into a conventional gas generator housing for an air bag, as described in German Patent No. 2,915,202 and ignited by means of an electrical igniter and a booster charge based on boron and potassium nitrate.
- the metal nitride is oxidized with release of the theoretical amount of nitrogen.
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Air Bags (AREA)
- Catalysts (AREA)
Abstract
Description
10CrN+6KNO.sub.3 →3K.sub.2 O.5Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 +8N.sub.2 +2626 kj/mole (5)
3BN+2CrN+3KBO.sub.3 →3KNO.sub.2.Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 +4N.sub.2 +1168 KJ/mole (6)
Claims (14)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE3733177 | 1987-10-01 | ||
DE3733177A DE3733177C1 (en) | 1987-10-01 | 1987-10-01 | Gas generating mass |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US4865667A true US4865667A (en) | 1989-09-12 |
Family
ID=6337379
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US07/252,520 Expired - Fee Related US4865667A (en) | 1987-10-01 | 1988-09-30 | Gas-generating composition |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US4865667A (en) |
JP (1) | JPH0684274B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE3733177C1 (en) |
Cited By (23)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4948439A (en) * | 1988-12-02 | 1990-08-14 | Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. | Composition and process for inflating a safety crash bag |
US4989465A (en) * | 1988-08-09 | 1991-02-05 | Kidde-Graviner Limited | Apparatus and methods for producing motive power |
US5035757A (en) * | 1990-10-25 | 1991-07-30 | Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. | Azide-free gas generant composition with easily filterable combustion products |
US5160386A (en) * | 1991-11-04 | 1992-11-03 | Morton International, Inc. | Gas generant formulations containing poly(nitrito) metal complexes as oxidants and method |
US5197758A (en) * | 1991-10-09 | 1993-03-30 | Morton International, Inc. | Non-azide gas generant formulation, method, and apparatus |
WO1995000462A1 (en) * | 1993-06-22 | 1995-01-05 | Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. | Azide-free gas generant compositions and processes |
US5401340A (en) * | 1993-08-10 | 1995-03-28 | Thiokol Corporation | Borohydride fuels in gas generant compositions |
US5429691A (en) * | 1993-08-10 | 1995-07-04 | Thiokol Corporation | Thermite compositions for use as gas generants comprising basic metal carbonates and/or basic metal nitrates |
WO1995018780A1 (en) * | 1994-01-10 | 1995-07-13 | Thiokol Corporation | Non-azide gas generant compositions containing dicyanamide salts |
US5439537A (en) * | 1993-08-10 | 1995-08-08 | Thiokol Corporation | Thermite compositions for use as gas generants |
US5472647A (en) * | 1993-08-02 | 1995-12-05 | Thiokol Corporation | Method for preparing anhydrous tetrazole gas generant compositions |
US5500059A (en) * | 1993-08-02 | 1996-03-19 | Thiokol Corporation | Anhydrous 5-aminotetrazole gas generant compositions and methods of preparation |
US5514230A (en) * | 1995-04-14 | 1996-05-07 | Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. | Nonazide gas generating compositions with a built-in catalyst |
US5557062A (en) * | 1994-12-13 | 1996-09-17 | United Technologies Corporation | Breathable gas generators |
US5592812A (en) | 1994-01-19 | 1997-01-14 | Thiokol Corporation | Metal complexes for use as gas generants |
US5622380A (en) * | 1995-09-21 | 1997-04-22 | Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. | Variable nonazide gas generator having multiple propellant chambers |
US5628528A (en) * | 1995-07-06 | 1997-05-13 | Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. | Dual chamber nonazide gas generator |
US5725699A (en) | 1994-01-19 | 1998-03-10 | Thiokol Corporation | Metal complexes for use as gas generants |
US5847315A (en) * | 1996-11-29 | 1998-12-08 | Ecotech | Solid solution vehicle airbag clean gas generator propellant |
US6132480A (en) * | 1999-04-22 | 2000-10-17 | Autoliv Asp, Inc. | Gas forming igniter composition for a gas generant |
US6416599B1 (en) * | 1996-12-28 | 2002-07-09 | Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki-Kaisha | Gas-generating agent for air bag |
CN100398432C (en) * | 2004-12-22 | 2008-07-02 | 台盐实业股份有限公司 | Method for synthesizing aluminium nitride |
US9199886B2 (en) | 1994-01-19 | 2015-12-01 | Orbital Atk, Inc. | Metal complexes for use as gas generants |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2000154087A (en) * | 1998-11-13 | 2000-06-06 | Nippon Plast Co Ltd | Gas generating composition |
DE10162413B4 (en) * | 2001-12-19 | 2006-12-21 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Integrated blasting or ignition element and its use |
JP5292983B2 (en) * | 2008-08-07 | 2013-09-18 | 豊田合成株式会社 | Inflator |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4376002A (en) * | 1980-06-20 | 1983-03-08 | C-I-L Inc. | Multi-ingredient gas generators |
US4386979A (en) * | 1979-07-19 | 1983-06-07 | Jackson Jr Charles H | Gas generating compositions |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2407659A1 (en) * | 1974-02-18 | 1975-09-04 | Aerojet General Co | Non-toxic gas generating compsns - of solid reductant and oxidant, for e.g. gas bag inflation |
-
1987
- 1987-10-01 DE DE3733177A patent/DE3733177C1/en not_active Expired
-
1988
- 1988-09-29 JP JP63242645A patent/JPH0684274B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1988-09-30 US US07/252,520 patent/US4865667A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4386979A (en) * | 1979-07-19 | 1983-06-07 | Jackson Jr Charles H | Gas generating compositions |
US4376002A (en) * | 1980-06-20 | 1983-03-08 | C-I-L Inc. | Multi-ingredient gas generators |
Cited By (32)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4989465A (en) * | 1988-08-09 | 1991-02-05 | Kidde-Graviner Limited | Apparatus and methods for producing motive power |
US4948439A (en) * | 1988-12-02 | 1990-08-14 | Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. | Composition and process for inflating a safety crash bag |
US5035757A (en) * | 1990-10-25 | 1991-07-30 | Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. | Azide-free gas generant composition with easily filterable combustion products |
AU629512B2 (en) * | 1990-10-25 | 1992-10-01 | Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. | Azide-free gas generant composition with easily filterable combustion products |
US5197758A (en) * | 1991-10-09 | 1993-03-30 | Morton International, Inc. | Non-azide gas generant formulation, method, and apparatus |
US5160386A (en) * | 1991-11-04 | 1992-11-03 | Morton International, Inc. | Gas generant formulations containing poly(nitrito) metal complexes as oxidants and method |
WO1995000462A1 (en) * | 1993-06-22 | 1995-01-05 | Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. | Azide-free gas generant compositions and processes |
US5386775A (en) * | 1993-06-22 | 1995-02-07 | Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. | Azide-free gas generant compositions and processes |
GB2284414B (en) * | 1993-06-22 | 1997-05-28 | Automotive Systems Lab | Azide-free gas generant compositions and processes |
GB2284414A (en) * | 1993-06-22 | 1995-06-07 | Automotive Systems Lab | Azide-free gas generant compositions and processes |
US5682014A (en) * | 1993-08-02 | 1997-10-28 | Thiokol Corporation | Bitetrazoleamine gas generant compositions |
US5500059A (en) * | 1993-08-02 | 1996-03-19 | Thiokol Corporation | Anhydrous 5-aminotetrazole gas generant compositions and methods of preparation |
US5501823A (en) * | 1993-08-02 | 1996-03-26 | Thiokol Corporation | Preparation of anhydrous tetrazole gas generant compositions |
US5472647A (en) * | 1993-08-02 | 1995-12-05 | Thiokol Corporation | Method for preparing anhydrous tetrazole gas generant compositions |
US5401340A (en) * | 1993-08-10 | 1995-03-28 | Thiokol Corporation | Borohydride fuels in gas generant compositions |
US5439537A (en) * | 1993-08-10 | 1995-08-08 | Thiokol Corporation | Thermite compositions for use as gas generants |
US5429691A (en) * | 1993-08-10 | 1995-07-04 | Thiokol Corporation | Thermite compositions for use as gas generants comprising basic metal carbonates and/or basic metal nitrates |
WO1995018780A1 (en) * | 1994-01-10 | 1995-07-13 | Thiokol Corporation | Non-azide gas generant compositions containing dicyanamide salts |
US5725699A (en) | 1994-01-19 | 1998-03-10 | Thiokol Corporation | Metal complexes for use as gas generants |
US5735118A (en) | 1994-01-19 | 1998-04-07 | Thiokol Corporation | Using metal complex compositions as gas generants |
US9199886B2 (en) | 1994-01-19 | 2015-12-01 | Orbital Atk, Inc. | Metal complexes for use as gas generants |
US5592812A (en) | 1994-01-19 | 1997-01-14 | Thiokol Corporation | Metal complexes for use as gas generants |
US5673935A (en) | 1994-01-19 | 1997-10-07 | Thiokol Corporation | Metal complexes for use as gas generants |
US6481746B1 (en) | 1994-01-19 | 2002-11-19 | Alliant Techsystems Inc. | Metal hydrazine complexes for use as gas generants |
US5557062A (en) * | 1994-12-13 | 1996-09-17 | United Technologies Corporation | Breathable gas generators |
US5514230A (en) * | 1995-04-14 | 1996-05-07 | Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. | Nonazide gas generating compositions with a built-in catalyst |
US5628528A (en) * | 1995-07-06 | 1997-05-13 | Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. | Dual chamber nonazide gas generator |
US5622380A (en) * | 1995-09-21 | 1997-04-22 | Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. | Variable nonazide gas generator having multiple propellant chambers |
US5847315A (en) * | 1996-11-29 | 1998-12-08 | Ecotech | Solid solution vehicle airbag clean gas generator propellant |
US6416599B1 (en) * | 1996-12-28 | 2002-07-09 | Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki-Kaisha | Gas-generating agent for air bag |
US6132480A (en) * | 1999-04-22 | 2000-10-17 | Autoliv Asp, Inc. | Gas forming igniter composition for a gas generant |
CN100398432C (en) * | 2004-12-22 | 2008-07-02 | 台盐实业股份有限公司 | Method for synthesizing aluminium nitride |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPH0684274B2 (en) | 1994-10-26 |
JPH01122987A (en) | 1989-05-16 |
DE3733177C1 (en) | 1989-05-11 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BAYERN-CHEMIE GESELLSCHAFT FUR FLUGCHEMISCHE ANTRI Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNORS:ZEUNER, SIEGFRIED;HOLZINGER, WALTER;REEL/FRAME:004957/0580 Effective date: 19880923 Owner name: BAYERN-CHEMIE GESELLSCHAFT FUR FLUGCHEMISCHE ANTRI Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ZEUNER, SIEGFRIED;HOLZINGER, WALTER;REEL/FRAME:004957/0580 Effective date: 19880923 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 19930912 |
|
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |